Senior Afghan and coalition enlisted advisers visit RC-South

ISAF Regional Command South
Story by Sgt. Antony Lee

Date: 02.27.2014
Posted: 02.27.2014 08:08
News ID: 121231
Senior Afghan and coalition enlisted advisors visit RC-South

KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Two senior enlisted advisers who have been working together – one from Afghan forces and the other from the International Security Assistance Force – visited Regional Command (South) recently to meet with Afghan and coalition troops.

Command Sgt. Maj. Isaia T. Vimoto, senior enlisted adviser of ISAF Joint Command, and Command Sgt. Maj. Mohammad Ali Hussayni, Afghan National Army ground forces command sergeant major, spent three days in southern Afghanistan as both gained a better understanding of operations in the region.

Command Sgt. Maj. David M. Clark, senior RC(S) enlisted advisor, accompanied both to several Afghan and coalition bases across his area of operations to meet with soldiers, receive updates and observe training.

On Feb. 25, 2014, the three sergeants major visited Camp Hero, where Hussayni toured the Kandahar Regional Military Hospital and observed hundreds of his soldiers in the ANA’s 205th Hero Corps training on literacy and rifle marksmanship.

“Right now, it’s time for us to get trained,” Hussayni later said while addressing U.S. soldiers at Forward Operating Base Pasab.

Hussayni, a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas, added that training is like “food for us,” and that it is “essential for Afghan soldiers.” He also thanked the U.S. soldiers for their sacrifices.

Vimoto, who recently took over as IJC’s command sergeant major, also addressed the troops.

“Our No. 1 mission here in Afghanistan is train, advise and assist,” Vimoto said. “That is our primary mission.”

He spoke about the significance of the partnership the United States has with the dozens of other countries that have contributed to the effort in Afghanistan.

“It’s important because we’re not alone,” he said, adding that the soldiers are a part of history in the making. “We’re all here because we want to help.”

Clark spoke to them about the impact they have had in RC(S) – “You have a lot to be proud of,” he said – before encouraging them to finish strong without worrying about the clock.

“What really matters is you finishing strong,” he said. “Continue to set the conditions … for the upcoming elections. Continue to help train and assist our Afghan brothers.”

During their time at FOB Pasab, the three senior enlisted advisers also received a brief about a recent attack at the base. They finished their time in RC(S) by attending a transfer of authority ceremony at FOB Apache in Zabul Province.